When
the presidential election campaign was rolling along a few years
ago, I had a very strange thought. To give it kind of a progression
appearance, it basically went like this…
(1)
I can’t stand most politicians. They are—seemingly a majority
of them in every potential negative topic of consideration,
from the ones I’m about to make to any other critiques—out of
touch, motivated and influenced primarily by personal interests,
and, frankly, idiots.
(2)
Donald Trump winning will… for better and for worse… create
chaos.
(3)
Maybe, just maybe, if he is elected, the return to normalcy
following his stay in office will involve a grand national political
awakening where it is truly a new normal, a better normal, and
not the finger-pointing, no progress, dig in the heels and cry
really loud old normal.
And,
guess what?
Crickets.
(Yes.
Crickets.)
For
the most part, unless you’re someone that reads every word in
every political news report every day (while talk radio or specific
news channels play in the background), the reality is that Washington
has for the most part gone silent.
While
every media outlet should be punished for the amazing overuse
of the word “historic” in the past week (learn some different
words folks)… while the highest representatives of some of our
country’s closest allies stare dumbfounded at meetings… you would
have to search and search (and search) to see any Democrat or
Republican national-office-holder talking about what’s been going
on.
Now…
look… I am saying this in my typical naïve approach to the
world. You absolutely could find this governor saying something
and that senator saying something. The quotes and opinions are
out there. But… the last time I recall seeing a massive wave of
comments from politicians without having to deliberately look
for them? Well…
It
was when funeral plans were being discussed for Senator John McCain.
Word was being shared across several news platforms that McCain
didn’t want Trump at any services. And some politicians criticized
McCain’s wishes. And some politicians offered sympathy and understanding
for McCain’s wishes. And almost all offered some note of understanding
that it was an amazingly difficult and sad subject to discuss.
Still…
Discussion
about John McCain, his health, and what might happen after his
passing?
LOTS
of reports and quotes.
Name
calling directed at Canada and a meeting with North Korea?
Crickets.
Political crickets.
And
before you start offering links and quotes and e-mails and phone
calls and text messages and more for me to examine… pause for
just a moment and consider… here’s my point…
I
really, truly feel as though every career politician in the country
(senators, representatives, governors and more (and those with
intentions to seek such offices)) has gone silent. They’ve boarded
up the windows, stocked the shelter, and settled in waiting for
the storm to pass.
More
staff leaving the White House team (somehow raising a pace of
turnover that had already been at levels never before approached)?
It’s ok. Two more years… maybe six more years… it will be over
(pass the can opener).
Foreign
interests asking questions and rolling eyes? It’s ok. We can apologize
during the next administration.
And,
sure, it’s not all bad. The WiFi in their safe rooms allows for
politicians to check their 401k portfolios. Squirrels—incompetent
and competent squirrels—are finding acorns.
The
trick for me in all of this… the scary part for me in all of this…
is that it truly seems like Washington has gone into run-silent-run-deep
mode. Take credit for the good. Make no comment and run away from
the bad. Do whatever is necessary to be standing at the other
side.
And
why is that so scary? Because it tends to lend itself toward the
finger-pointing, no progress, dig in the heels and cry really
loud old normal. It really sees like no one heard the beating
drums and rallying cries that swirled and crested in the last
presidential election as some type of sign for reform, change,
modification or such. It seems like we are going to see a parade
of the same old candidates. Not toward a new Washington. Not toward
a better Washington.
There’s
still some time. You can begin to do some research instead of
casually coming across the news here and there. You can make phone
calls and send e-mails when votes and actions and issues need
attention and you want your voice heard. You can check out how
situations are handled in your voting districts. (And please please
please do.)
But
the running joke—a joke that hurts because it’s true—is that those
that don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
The
true joy of the chaos was that it might bring change and improvement.
As of today though, I’m thinking that when the political groundhogs
emerge from their sanctuaries they might not see their shadows.
And if they’re not scared… well…
Buckle
up. The chaos might just continue.